Did you know that you can get even more out of your workouts when you think about your nutrition? This is especially true about the food that you eat after you’ve finished exercising. By getting the right nutrients into your body, you can recover better and build more muscle. This will go a long way towards helping you reach your fitness goals.
High Sugar Fruits
It might seem counterintuitive to put sugar in your body straight after exercising (especially if your goal is to lose weight). However, fruits such as kiwi, pineapple, bananas and berries have the right kind of sugars that will help your body to replenish the glycogen that you need to function in your daily life.
If you are doing endurance training – swimming, cycling, running, etc. – then a nice fruit snack after a session will keep you from feeling too tired for the rest of the day. The fruit is also easy to digest so it can feel like an instant pick-me-up after a good workout.
Trail Mix
A good trail mix should contain all the right nutrients and components to help boost your body. The nuts will have protein and fats for your muscles, as well as dried fruits to help with your sugar levels. Some trail mix will even have seeds for essential oils and extra good fats. It’s also an easy snack to throw in your gym bag or car so that you can eat it straight after your workout session instead of waiting until you get home for your next meal.
Dark Leafy Greens
Spinach and kale have been nicknamed “superfoods”. This is because they have so many good things to offer your body and are an ideal addition to your post-workout meal. They work in a range of different meals, from breakfast eggs to lunchtime salads to a vegetable side for dinner. You can even blend them up in a smoothie if you prefer.
The reason these dark leafy greens are so good for you is because they have a range of different minerals and vitamins in them that are easy to absorb. You get magnesium and potassium, which help your body to rehydrate properly. You also get several important vitamins that help you to recover faster.
Turmeric
This spice is an absolute wonder. Studies have shown that it can boost your immune system, reduce inflammation in muscles and joints, and improve your general, overall wellbeing. It’s the second point, however, that makes it such a good addition to your post-exercise eating. Adding a spoonful to your protein shake or smoothie can really help your muscles to recover faster.
There are so many other ways to include turmeric to your diet. You can simply sprinkle the spice over meals like stir fries, roast vegetables and even sweet potato wedges. It’s also a great addition to soups, stews and curries, to bring spice to the sauce. You can even have it like a tea, with warm water, ginger and honey.